Tonight and tomorrow’s’s CMLL FantasticaMania show will be available on NJPW World for subscribers. Two other shows will air weeks from now on SamuraiTV. The first show of the tour is already out, on RealHero’s DailyMotion channel. Quick reviews:
Rey Cometa & Tritón vs Bárbaro Cavernario & Mr. Niebla [OK]: was going OK until Niebla decided to be a klutz and fell on Triton’s knee. Triton really shouldn’t have tried the dive after, but it’s his first match in Japan so of course he would. Cometa got out of the match well and I have no idea how he got hurt. Must’ve been something between the shows. Crowd did like Peste Negra quickly, though some of Niebla’s antics were going over their heads.
Ángel de Oro vs Okumura in a lightning match: [OK] incredible generic lightning Angel de Oro match, CHECK. I’m thinking this one which had to play a lot better to people not used to Angel de Oro, and Angel de Oro actually had to find something new to do around minute 8, but this also might have been better in CMLL because there’s no way they would’ve got 10 minutes. Okumura’s DDT on the apron looked cool and he was trying. Polite applause for a draw was kind of weird.
Jushin Liger & Mistico vs Gedo & Pólvora [ok]: Mistico did very little early and did not look good doing it, but was redeemed in the last couple minutes with some good near falls. Mistico didn’t do much that would cause him to stick out if he wasn’t already Mistico. Polvora really didn’t show much either and Gedo & Lyger were just there to be names. The rudo section really dragged, and only the last few minutes saved it from being below average.
Stigma, Stuka Jr., Tiger Mask vs Mephisto, Shinsuke Nakamura, YOSHI-HASHI: [good] nice trios match to build up Mephsito/Stuka, which came across like a feud that’s been going for some time (and not one just invented for this tour.) Stigma did well, even if stealing Stukita’s pose is no bueno. This felt like Nakamura was fighting much beneath his weight but he also didn’t mail it in.
Captain New Japan, Kushida, Máscara Dorada vs La Sombra, Ryusuke Taguchi, Tetsuya Naito: [good]: kind of want to declare Dorada/Sombra a MOTYC days before it occurs just based on the interactions in this match. They are more than ready for this match and it’s going to be fantastic. This was good too, with both teams mixing well; the Taguchi/Naito/Sombra side worked particularly well. I could use a little less Captain New Japan, but that’s the match they were working.
Atlantis, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Volador Jr. vs Gran Guerrero, Kazuchika Okada, Último Guerrero [good]: best match on the show, with guys going out a little stronger for the main event. Ultimo always steps it for Japan and he was working hard here. Gran Guerrero impressed, working well with Volador after an early stumble and breaking out new offense. It looked like he might be okay with Volador after all; it gave me much more hope for that for sure. Atlantis did Atlantis things, Volador showed off a lot, and Tanahashi & Okada were their normal self. It was weird when Atlantis & Ultimo Guerrero were hyping up their match and I suddenly understood half the things which were being said.
